A retired United Airlines pilot is raising serious red flags about safety at one of the country’s busiest airports — and he’s calling on the federal government to take immediate action.
Appearing on TMZ Live Friday, former commercial pilot Tom Mannello expressed deep concern over Newark Liberty International Airport, especially in the wake of recent radar outages and staffing shortages in air traffic control.
Mannello, who has decades of flight experience, says flying into Newark is now “only moderately safe.” He cited a troubling combination of factors — including understaffed towers, tight budgets, ongoing construction, and unpredictable weather — that make the airport increasingly vulnerable.
Radar Outages Raise Alarms
Newark suffered a radar blackout on April 28, during which air traffic controllers were unable to see or speak to aircraft for more than 90 seconds — a dangerously long time in aviation. The event caused mass flight delays and forced at least five controllers to take trauma leave for 45 days.
And just this morning, the same system malfunctioned again, leaving airspace around the airport in chaos for yet another crucial minute and a half.
This Isn’t Just About Newark
While Mannello is especially concerned about Newark, he warns that radar and air traffic control issues are becoming systemic across the U.S. He says the situation has been deteriorating for years, and it’s time the Department of Transportation steps in with serious reforms.
Despite his concerns, Tom — who was famously scheduled to fly United 23 on 9/11 before it was grounded — says he still plans to fly as a passenger soon, emphasizing he’s not trying to create panic. But coming from a man who kept flying post-9/11 and knows firsthand how dangerous aviation can get, his warning carries weight.
Catch his full interview on TMZ Live — and keep an eye on how the DOT’s new overhaul plans could change the game for fliers.
